There was something strange about these men and their endless obsession with duels.
First Renshu, now this commander. Why were they always so eager to defeat someone one-on-one?
"Well, Aryan, what do you say?" Wei Fang's cheerful voice sliced through my thoughts.
He sounded impatient. My throat tightened. I wanted to answer, but the sound of my voice could betray the truth I had hidden so carefully, that I was a woman.
"But sir, don't you think," one of the men spoke up hesitantly, "if Aryan already beat Renshu, he'd win against you as well?"
For a heartbeat, anger flickered across Wei Fang's face. Then, the expression vanished. He was too skilled at masking himself.
"Of course," he replied smoothly. "If he bested Renshu, then logically I stand no chance. But you're forgetting one thing—" He pushed back his chair and rose to his full height, his smile sharp as a drawn blade.
"—I was the one who trained Renshu. Age may have dulled my strength, but the skills I left behind are more than enough… to test him."
The room stilled.
Wei Fang's pleasant mask barely contained the excitement glittering beneath.
"Perhaps we could test him another way," one of the older commanders suggested. "Strategy, war planning, revenue distribution—"
"Oh, those will come," Wei Fang interrupted with a laugh. "Another day, perhaps. But for now, let's focus on my proposal. What do you say, Renshu? Aryan?"
I hesitated, weighing the danger. If he was weaker than Renshu, perhaps I could win. But what if he had tricks I didn't know?
I glanced at Renshu. His head was lowered, deep in thought. Accepting such a challenge wasn't like him.
"Alright," he said finally, lifting his gaze. "Duel with him, Wei Fang."
Shock jolted through me. A risk like this? If I lost, would I even be given another chance?
Before I could voice my protest, Renshu stood. "I'll give him some advice first, if you don't mind."
"Of course," Wei Fang said, delighted. His expression betrayed him for the first time, excitement flashing in his eyes. But the other commanders seemed unconcerned.
Renshu led me away to his quarters. The moment the door shut, his voice hardened.
"You need to win."
"You say that as if I don't already know—"
"You don't understand." His eyes sharpened. "If you lose, the commanders won't choose you again. They expect greatness from you. They won't accept any less. They know you defeated me."
At least now I knew why he had accepted the duel.
"Why take this risk?" I demanded. "I was supposed to be tested in strategy and planning, like the entrance exams."
"No," Renshu said firmly. "If you beat Wei Fang, the commanders will be impressed enough to admit you outright. Wei Fang is a formidable swordsman. If he had the energy of youth, he might still defeat me."
A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
"Listen," he continued, gripping my shoulders. "You have speed. You wield a light blade. You have experience. Use those. You will win."
His words were steady, but doubt gnawed at me.
By the time I returned to the training ground, sword in hand and uniform fastened tight, Wei Fang was already prepared.
Gone were his long, drooping robes—he wore a dueling outfit now. He could not have been carrying these clothes, which means, he had come expecting this all along.
"Let's go, Aryan!" he called with a grin, sword gleaming at his side. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
We were to duel on the grassy field in front of the palace.
My hands trembled around the hilt. That odd, hollow feeling always came before something serious.
Wei Fang's sword was heavy, a dark emerald gleaming in its hilt. I assumed his strength was less than Renshu's; dodging his attacks should be easier.
We bowed and stepped back, eyes locked. The air tightened around us.
"Begin!" A rough voice called out.
Wei Fang lunged, blade flashing toward my neck.
I barely dodged, breath catching in my throat.
Every time I tried to strike, he forced me to defend instead. His speed was unnatural for a man wielding such a heavy sword. Or… was the weapon lighter than it appeared?
A stab aimed at my stomach—I twisted away. Again and again, his blade sought vital points, each attack designed to end the fight quickly.
Fatigue gnawed at my limbs. I couldn't keep this up. How could I defeat Renshu yet lose to Wei Fang?
Think.
Speed.
Renshu's voice echoed in my mind. Speed was my advantage. Wei Fang protected only the places he aimed to strike. If his training focused on vital targets, then perhaps—just perhaps—he guarded them best.
It was a gamble, but a necessary one.
With a sharp cry, he swung for my head, both hands gripping the sword. I dropped low and rolled forward. My blade flashed—
Slash!
Blood sprayed across the grass.
Wei Fang staggered, shock widening his eyes. Crimson colors leaked from the back of his thigh.
In the last instant, I had slashed across the vulnerable muscle in his back thigh, the spot that robs a fighter of balance.
The commander fell to one knee, sword still clutched in disbelief.
The other men rushed forward, voices rising in alarm. Renshu strode calmly toward me, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Good job," he said quietly.
Wei Fang forced a laugh, waving off the concern. "No, no, I'm fine. Just a scratch."
But I couldn't stop the small spark of triumph from lighting in my chest.
"Well," Renshu said loudly enough for all to hear, "it seems Aryan is an official now."
Wei Fang remained silent for a long beat. Then, with a wry smile, he nodded. "Yes."
The commanders applauded, their approval ringing in the evening air.
"But," Wei Fang added smoothly, "before we proceed, I must test his loyalty to our country. You don't mind if I speak with him privately, do you? Of course, he will become an official as soon as that is done. What do you say, commanders?"
They agreed at once—like a student agreeing with their mentors.
"I will stay," Renshu said sharply. "Final."
Their eyes met, a silent challenge passing between them.
But my thoughts swirled elsewhere.
An official? Me?
They hadn't tested my strategic skills at all. And if Wei Fang was planning something…
For now, all I could do was hold my sword and wait. The future, like the duels, remained uncertain.